By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
With just a week to convince voters to cast their ballots for or against the Bowling Green City Schools levy, both sides are putting money into their messages.
The anti-levy group – Wood County Citizens Against Higher Property Tax – has erected billboards on the outskirts of the city urging people to reject the levy to build a new consolidated elementary, plus renovate and add onto the high school. The group has purchased more than $4,000 in newspaper ads showing young students questioning the need for new schools.
And they have sent out mailers accusing the school board of not telling the truth about the levy.
The pro-levy group – called Citizens in Support of Our Schools – has spent the bulk of its contributions on mailers and postage.
Yard signs are popping up on both sides of the issue.
As of last week’s filing deadline for campaign finance reports for the May 8 election, the anti-levy group had raised $10,866 from nine donors. The pro-levy group had raised $14,175 from 32 donors.
Wood County Board of Elections Director Terry Burton said Monday that campaign finance law requires any Political Action Committee to report its finances. The reports must include where the money comes from – both in financial contributions and in-kind donations which are products or services that benefit the cause.
An individual does not need to report money spent on his or her own, Burton said. “They retain their First Amendment rights of free speech.”
However, that changes if individuals work together, he said.
“If two or more people get together and coordinate in any way,” they must file a report on where the finances came from, and how they were spent, Burton said.
Last Thursday was the deadline for the first round of finance reporting for the May 8 election. The pre-election report covers all the revenue and expenses up to 20 days prior to the election. The post-election report, which is due June 15, must cover all finances after the pre-election report.
“Typically we don’t get a full picture till post election,” he said.
Burton said the board of elections does not question the numbers submitted by local PACs.
“We are required to take their campaign reports at face value – unless we have a reason to believe it’s not accurate,” he said.
“In general, in Wood County, we have not had an issue with people trying to skirt reporting,” Burton said.
Election law requires that the name of the PAC or purchaser of political advertising must be listed on flyers, yard signs or billboards.
In the information filed with the Wood County Board of Elections, was correspondence between school levy opponent Bud Henschen and the billboard company he was purchasing space from for $2,750.
Lamar Advertising noted that the billboards needed to include information on who was paying for the ads. Henschen asked if the name had to be on the actual sign or just in the company files.
“If you have to disclose my name so be it. However, if you can say the information is confidential, then that would be appreciated,” Henschen wrote to the billboard company.
Following are a list of contributions for the Wood County Citizens Against Higher Property Tax, of which Grant Chamberlain is treasurer:
- Tammy Johnson, Rudolph, $200.
- Steve Bateson, Portage, $500.
- Aaron Bateson, Rudolph, $300.
- Jeff Avery, Rudolph, $500.
- Dana Pahl, Rudolph, $500.
- Stephen Bateson, Rudolph, $500.
- Jacque Bateson, Bowling Green, $500.
- Daniel P. Wilson, Rudolph, $500.
- Bud Henschen, Bowling Green, $2,750 in-kind for four billboards.
- Bud Henschen, Bowling Green, $4,116 in-kind for newspaper ads.
Following is a list of contributions for the Citizens in Support of Our Schools, of which Andy Newlove is treasurer:
- Mike Marsh, Bowling Green, $3,000.
- Gary and Laura Keller, Bowling Green, $100.
- Roger Anderson, Bowling Green, $100.
- Eric Myers, Bowling Green, $100.
- Wood County Insurance, Bowling Green, $250.
- K&K Construction, Weston, $250.
- Rachel Wixey & Associates, Maumee, $500.
- Spitler Law Office, Bowling Green, $2,000.
- Tom & Dianne Klein, Bowling Green, $250.
- Joyce Kepke, Bowling Green, $100.
- Ed & Linda Reiter, Bowling Green, $300.
- Dick & Nadine Edwards, Bowling Green, $150.
- Sandy Rowland, Bowling Green, $100.
- Craft Investments, Bowling Green, $200.
- Maria Simon, Bowling Green, $25.
- Jean Romans, Bowling Green, $100.
- Diane Vogtsberger, Bowling Green, $100.
- Kent Buehrer, Maumee, $4,200.
- Toft Dairy, Sandusky, $50.
- Ben & Kristin Otley, Bowling Green, $50.
- Michelle Evans, Bowling Green, $100.
- Steve & Joan McEwen, Bowling Green, $100
- Bill & Sharon Clifford, Bowling Green, $100.
- Steve Cernkovich, Bowling Green, $100.
- Jerry & Teri Anderson, Bowling Green, $250.
- Cheryl Windisch, Bowling Green, $150.
- Jeff & Jenny Dever, Bowling Green, $150.
- Bricker & Eckler LLP, Columbus, $650.
- Dick & Laurie Newlove, Bowling Green, $100.
- Janet Parks, Bowling Green, $200.
- Milt & Lee Hakel, Bowling Green, $250.
- Rick & Holly Barker, Bowling Green, $100.
